The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Gen. 49:10
A loyal band of baptized believers took an old wooden-framed house and molded its tattered walls, barren floors, boarded windows, planked ceilings, and make-shift steeples
into a church.
Shiloh's Story
SHILOH'S HISTORY
In 1888, Rev. Sam Byrd, a devoted Baptist minister, and a group of committed baptized believers, separated from the congregation of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. They transformed an old wooden-frame house at 325 Whitney Avenue into Shiloh Baptist Church. With the warmth and love of God, along with the comfort of a wood-burning potbelly stove, Shiloh Baptist Church emerged as a symbol of the belief that "JESUS IS A SOLID ROCK," forever altering the spiritual legacy of the Southwest Georgia community.
Rev. Byrd faithfully led Shiloh Baptist Church and its congregation for twenty-six years until his passing in 1914. Following his death, the church underwent an extraordinary pastoral transition, welcoming six pastors: Rev. G. W. Irwin (1914-1936), Rev. E. R. Searcy, Sr. (1937-1948), Rev. I. J. Alford (1948-1950), Rev. W. H. Calhoun (1951-1956), Rev. T. J. Blue (1956-1958), and Rev. Dr. H. C. Boyd (1959-2016).
A significant event occurred during Rev. G. W. Irwin's time when a tornado devastated the community, and the original church building was destroyed on February 9, 1940. In the aftermath, services were held at Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church and Simpson Hall. Remarkably, God blessed Shiloh during this rebuilding phase, allowing the church to become debt-free by 1948.
The current church building was constructed by contractor A. S. Cobb in 1953, during the leadership of Rev. W. H. Calhoun.
Rev. Dr. Horace Clinton Boyd , the sixth pastor, had a remarkable tenure. His preaching journey began in 1946 at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, leading to his pastoral roles in various congregations, including Mill Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Ellabell, Georgia, and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, where he dedicated an impressive 57 years of service.
Under his leadership in 1959, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church saw remarkable growth in membership and church real estate expansion. It acquired property for parking, constructed an educational building, purchased vans for member transportation, and completed several major renovations. A church security team was established in response to increasing crime rates in the area. The church was incorporated during his tenure.
Dr. Boyd’s visionary leadership provided invaluable service to the community and spiritual guidance to its members and friends. In the 1960s, Shiloh participated in the Albany Civil Rights Movement, hosting various Civil Rights programs with Rev. Boyd as a primary leader. And the Albany Civil Rights Movement was born. Dr. Boyd stated, “We were taught that everything worth living for is worth dying for, and I was willing to put my life on the line." His involvement was documented in the historical documentary "Eyes on the Prize." In 2014, a Historic Civil Rights marker was placed in front of the church, sponsored by the Georgia Historical Society and the Albany Civil Rights Institute.
Dr. Boyd emerged as a pivotal figure in the Albany Movement, opening his doors to external activists and hosting mass meetings during the 1960s. In 1961, Dr. Boyd invited Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to speak to crowds of over 1,500 at Shiloh and Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Jim Bishop notes in his 1971 book, The Days of Martin Luther King, Jr., that one of his most famous phrases was first delivered in a sermon here: “We shall overcome. Don’t stop now. Keep moving. Don’t get weary children. We will wear them down by our capacity to suffer.”
Dr. Boyd received numerous accolades for his contributions and held leadership positions in the Albany Ministerial Brotherhood, the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, the Albany Seminary Extension, and the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Association. Additionally, he served on the Board of Dougherty County Family and Children Services for 27 years.
Rev. Dr. Horace Clinton Boyd passed away at 89 on June 25, 2016, after 57 years of steadfast pastoral service to the historic Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
After a pastoral search in September 2016, Rev. Charles E. Burney was appointed interim pastor and later became the pastor. Rev. Burney served as the seventh pastor until July 30, 2017. Under his leadership, a church website was started, and the youth group was renamed Genesis. In addition, members attended weekly bible study.
The current pastor, Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr. has significantly contributed to Shiloh Baptist Church since he was elected Interim Pastor in May 2018 and appointed Senior Pastor on October 15, 2018. His official installation services were held on January 13, 2019.
Dr. Simmons’s bible-based ministry and inspirational sermons revived the spirits of Shiloh members upon the immense loss of Rev. Dr. H.C. Boyd after 57 long years of service. Under his leadership, the church sanctuary underwent extensive remodeling to create a more welcoming and spiritually uplifting environment for the congregation. This included a new roof for the building, new pew coverings, updated lighting, fresh paint, and ceiling repairs. Additionally, the church annex and kitchen were remodeled from 2020 to 2023. These efforts have not only improved the aesthetics of the church but also enhanced the overall worship experience for the members. In 2020, Dr. Simmons facilitated the purchase of lots 317 and 319 on Whitney Avenue for the future growth of the church. This strategic acquisition aims to support the church's expansion and provide additional parking space for the congregation.
Dr. Simmons has also successfully evangelized new members, with some former members following his ministry from Newark, New Jersey. One of his notable initiatives is the creation of Shiloh’s Noon Prayer Line with the now-deceased First Lady Emma Simmons, which has grown substantially with faithful prayer warriors from various states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Simmons started online church services and expanded them to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and the church website. He has also expanded the church membership and participation in the National Baptist and Fellowship Baptist Church Conventions.
Dr. Simmons established a Christian Education Training School Program for members and visiting churches and developed a Christian handbook outlining the duties and expectations for all church ministries. Additionally, he has impacted the community through outreach programs such as the Senior Mission and Genesis Youth Groups, offering bible study and revivals.
Looking ahead, Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr. and First Lady Brenda Simmons envision a future where Shiloh Baptist Church continues to thrive as a beacon of faith and service in the community. His mission is to uphold the church's motto, "to Enter to Worship and Depart to Serve," by fostering a welcoming environment for worship and encouraging members to actively engage in service and outreach.
Dr. Simmons is committed to guiding the church toward growth and spiritual enrichment, ensuring that Shiloh Baptist Church remains a cornerstone of hope and support for all who seek its embrace.